Mumbai terrorist attacks kill at least 100

Teams of gunmen attacked two five-star hotels, a railway station, hospitals, and a restaurant famous for attracting tourists, the AP reports.

The gunmen specifically targeted Americans and Britons at the hotels and the restaurant, Leopold's. An unknown number of people were being held hostage as police raided the two hotels, the Taj and the Oberoi. At least six of the gunmen have been killed since the attacks began at about 9:30 local time on Wednesday.

A Muslim terrorist group called Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The government ordered schools and colleges closed on Thursday. But according to techgoss.com editor Dhananjay Varma, now in Delhi, the country's tech hubs are operating normally, and internal flights between Delhi and Mumbai were running as of 8am local time Thursday. International flights may not fly from Mumbai today, Varma said. Telephone lines are working normally and tourists are talking to the media from the hotels.

Varma said terrorists had not attacked outsourcing centres because the industry is multi-faith, and buildings are often better guarded than hotels and restaurants.

The head of Maharashtra's anti-terrorist squad is among 11 police officers who have been killed.

British citizens concerned about friends and relatives in Mumbai can call the Foreign Office on 020 7008 0000. Anyone in Mumbai and needing consular help should call (0091) 11 2419 2288.

The England Cricket team is touring India for a series of one-day internationals. The fifth was held yesterday in Cuttack, on the country's east coast. According to Independent, the tour may be cut short. ®